Lady Gaga's single Born This Way has been censored by Malaysian radio stations. Photograph: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Lady Gaga's new single has been censored by Malaysian radio stations, with officials citing its "taboo" references to homosexuality. While Born This Way tops charts around the world – and hit No 4 on at least one Malaysian chart – radio reps said the track could be found offensive by "general Malaysians".

Apparently Malaysian radio loves Born This Way's hooks – just not its lyrics. "The particular lyrics in Born This Way may be considered as offensive when viewed against Malaysia's social and religious observances," AMP Radio Networks, the country's top private radio operator, explained to the Associated Press. Although its stations continue to broadcast Lady Gaga's song, the choruses' references to being "gay, straight or bi, lesbian [or] transgendered" have been bleeped out. "[This] issue ... is still considered as a taboo by general Malaysians," AMP insisted.

Born This Way is an undeniably pro-gay song – Elton John has referred to it as "the new gay anthem". But the track is hardly a policy statement for homosexual rights: there are no lines about marriage, civil unions, or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Instead, Gaga sings: "A different lover is not a sin ... No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, transgendered life, I'm on the right track, baby... I was born this way". Last week, the star explained the song's "point" on Twitter: "[It's] to fight for something that not everyone believes in," she wrote. "To overcome adversity with a message."

A Malaysian gay rights activist has called on Lady Gaga to protest against the radio stations' decision and ban them from playing any of her songs. Radio should be "a platform for marginalised voices and [creating] understanding," Phang Khee complained, "not perpetuating ignorance and hate." But the problem is only partly with AMP Radio: the stations claim they must respect Malaysia's obscenity laws, which prohibit songs that violate "good taste or decency or [are] offensive to public feeling". Stations face fines of up to $16,000 (£9,920) if they fall foul of government watchdogs.

Homosexual acts are criminal offences in Malaysia, and its politics are heavily influenced by the country's laws. Officials have previously cracked down on concerts by Black Eyed Peas, Avril Lavigne and Adam Lambert.